Buffalo, Conklin, Binghamton 5/16/22

 Pardon my absence; I've been distracted ...

I haven't been here on the blog lately but, Buffalo has moved me to words:

I live in Binghamton, NY. Approximately 230 Miles North and West of here is the City of Buffalo, where 10 people were shot and killed 3 more were injured at a Grocery Store.

Approximately 5 Miles East of here is Conklin, NY, where the 18-Year-Old Killer grew up and lived. 

Approximately 3 Blocks away from my home is the local Emergency Mental Health Service (EMHS), called the Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program, (CPEP) at Binghamton General Hospital.

In June of 2021, the Buffalo Killer was taken by NY State Police from Susquehanna Valley High School in Conklin to the CPEP in Binghamton at Binghamton General Hospital ER, after having written and spoken about potential Mass-Shooting at School.

Years ago I worked at Binghamton General ER as an EMT. While I worked there, the EMHS added the CPEP component to Psychiatric Emergency Services. As a concerned private citizen and EMT, I was interested in Community Mental Health Services, and I became a member of the CPEP Advisory Board during the EMHS/CPEP development, transition, and implementation.

An area of concern to me as an ER Tech and Emergency Ambulance Squad Crew Chief, and other concerned Community Members, was that EMHS tended to Discharge those who probably should have been Admitted to In-patient Treatment, and Admit those who could have been treated on an Out-patient basis.

30 Years later, a 17-Year-old with Murder in mind is evaluated and eventually Discharged back into the community. This is the kind of thing some of us on the CPEP Advisory Board worried about. An Individual who probably should have been Admitted to In-patient Hospitalization or at least more closely supervised Out-patient Services, leaves the hospital unfettered by further restriction.

11 Months later, armed with an illegally modified semi-automatic assault rifle, he drives his parent’s car over 200 Miles from Conklin, NY to Buffalo and shoots 11 Black Americans. 10 of those shot died as a result of wounds inflicted by the berserk gunman.

This individual was quite obviously deeply disturbed and needed to be more closely supervised.

Erie County NY District Attorney John Flynn was quite cautious, and I would say, diplomatic in his description of Broome County Emergency Mental Health/Binghamton General CPEP Services – ‘I won’t comment on what went on down there in Broome County, I wasn’t there, so I won’t speak to it… I won’t criticize Broome County about that.’ He did go on to say that the shooter ‘had hatred in his heart long before coming to Buffalo’.

Well, Thank You for your candor, but, I will Critique: He should have been Admitted to In-patient.

 To not do so is an obvious and disturbing failure of Emergency Mental Health Services in Broome County, NY. As a result of this disastrous failure, 10 people were killed and 3 more wounded while shopping at a grocery store on Saturday Afternoon.

I know how this goes – a Patient Admitted to CPEP for Evaluation eventually says: ‘Oh, I don’t know why I wrote that… I didn’t really mean it … I wouldn’t do that …’ And, Viola! Discharge. In these violent and troubled, disturbing times, we cannot simply let people off the hook for recanting on such violent and disturbing threats.

An individual threatening in such a manner should be screened and investigated more thoroughly, personally, and circumstantially to truly evaluate one’s real emotional state, and to determine if circumstances such as Gun Possession indicate further action.     

Trump's American Disgrace

Our 'Long National Nightmare' over ? Well, not quite. This particular Nightmare gets worse before ending. "My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is over". https://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/library/speeches/740001.asp

Outgoing President (?) Trump's Obstruction of Transition is an outright appalling disgrace. Trump once said "I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldn't lose any voters, OK?" Trump remarked at a campaign stop at Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa. "It's, like, incredible."

1/23/16 https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/01/23/464129029/donald-trump-i-could-shoot-somebody-and-i-wouldnt-lose-any-voters

Trump made this deplorable comment at, of all places a 'Christian College' in Sioux Center, Iowa. WWJD? 

As distressing as the comment is, it might actually be true. At least Trump's Co-conspirators so argued in court. " Attorneys for Trump made the claim while arguing before a federal appeals court in their suit against Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance, who has subpoenaed Trump’s tax returns."

Judge Denny Chin pressed him on how the crime would be handled while Trump remained in office. “Nothing could be done, that’s your position?” he said.

“That is correct,” Consovoy replied. https://www.politico.com/news/2019/10/23/trump-lawyer-prosecuted-shooting-someone-055648

Now, we see such horrid observations come true.

Nearly 480,000 Americans have Died and continue to Die at alarming rates and Trump's response is to stonewall efforts for the incoming Presidential Administration to be completely current on the latest Governmental Information on the deadly pandemic. This negligent Mass-Murder is totally appalling on its own, but even more distressing in that Nothing is being done about it.

I understand that just about everyone is exhausted with efforts to hold Trump accountable for his Crimes, but this is completely more urgent than our 'feelings'.

What if anyone else other than Trump participated in such Criminally Negligent Manslaughter? How much would we put up with? We as a Nation and a People would not just shrug it off and say 'Well, we can't do anything about it'. Whatever might be even possible to pursue in demanding accountability and responsibility must be pursued no matter how 'Tired' we may be. More and more people are dying of COVID everyday. Every possible remedy must be initiated.

The 'MAGA-lytes', including those in the U.S. Senate, claim themselves Patriots. Please. 

Hillary Clinton more accurately described them as 'Deplorable'. 

 

Do Republicans Love Laura Bush ?                6/18/18   Jos. R. Walsh

Laura Bush, wife of former U.S. President Geo. W. Bush, is a well-respected and well-loved national Republican former 1^st Lady. Right? Mrs. Bush has over the past few years, been quiet on recent political matters. But today, the reprehensible, inhumane atrocities of the Trump Regime compel her to comment. And her commentary clearly lays the disgrace of Child Abuse on the mantle of Pres. Trump.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/laura-bush-separating-children-from-their-parents-at-the-border-breaks-my-heart/2018/06/17/f2df517a-7287-11e8-9780-b1dd6a09b549_story.html?utm_term=.8224ab470e82

Do Republicans still love her? Or, are they more endeared to the likes of Dept. of Homeland Security Director Kirstjen M. Nielsen, who tells us not to believe our own eyes as we watch DHS Officers rip little children from their mothers’ arms? Who has higher credibility among Republicans, Laura Bush or the Liar-In-Chief Trump, who tells us this is all the fault of Pres. Obama and Democrats?  https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/trump-defense-over-separating-immigrant-families-n884306?cid=eml_nbn_20180618

A.G. Jeff Sessions cherry-picked a bit of the Apostle Paul’s Gospel to justify this abusive, abhorrent policy. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/06/15/sessions-says-the-bible-justifies-separating-immigrant-families-the-verses-he-cited-are-infamous/?utm_term=.a2913b0e76b9

Yea, the Lil’ Racist AG Was smiling broadly and hopping up and down excitedly as he displayed his most excellent recall of select Gospel. Hypocrite ! (That’s Biblical also). If Lil’ Good Ole Brother Jeff wants to get to Gospel quoting, perhaps he should remember Matthew 25. In this Gospel, The Apostle commends us to be mindful of Jesus Christ’s admonition for how we treat ‘the least of the brethren’.  Matthew 25 gives few clues as to who “the least of these” are. They’re described only as hungry, thirsty, homeless, naked, sick, and imprisoned.

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. For I was hungry and you gave me no food, I was thirsty and you gave me no drink, I was a stranger and you did not welcome me, naked and you did not clothe me, sick and in prison and you did not visit me.’

Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.’ And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

I do not imply that these people are not being fed and housed, they are. However, we are making Mothers and Children sick by the trauma of forced separation. We are most certainly imprisoning them, and most certainly – they are not welcome here.

Lots of Luck, Jeff !

 Who will Investigate/Prosecute This Crime ?

Dr. Ben Carson Spends $37k on Office Décor, without Congressional Approval, in Violation of Federal Law -
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/27/us/ben-carson-hud-furniture.html?smid=tw-nytimes&smtyp=cur
Meanwhile, the White House circulated its plans to slash HUD’s programs for the homeless, elderly and poor, according to federal procurement records.

MAGA, Anyone ? 

It’s All a Deplorable Mess… 7/26/17 jw

It’s All a Deplorable Mess…

It was inevitable. President Trump’s election promised drastic change in Washington D.C., and drastic change we now have. Governmental Gridlock in D.C. has never been worse. In recent years we’ve come to expect Inter-party conflict resulting in dreadful stalemate; Democrats vs. Republicans supporting opposing viewpoints of governance. As President Obama faced fierce Republican opposition at every turn, legislative progress was infrequent if there was any at all.

With the election to President of a man with no experience whatever in governance, and a profoundly radical contempt of the Governmental process, the ensuing calamity was, as feared, Inevitable. Not only do we see D. vs. R. opposition, we have R. vs. R. conflict. And Thank Goodness for it! The Intra-Republican turmoil is composed of G.O.P’ers blindly obedient to a Republican President roaring into blind alleys, and some reasonable dissent to hazardous, harmful Legislation and Policies. Again, with the elevation of a radical tyrant to a position of power, the ensuing result has been inevitable. The possible involvement of the Trump Campaign with Russian interference in the recent election also has subsequent political implications.  

Trump has proposed, and attempted to impose some draconian and deplorable policies and a few reasonable Republicans sided with Democrats in opposition. Result-complete stalemate. Thankfully, and at the same time, regrettably. Regrettably because no one wants a complete standstill in Government, and thankfully because the ideas Trump has tried to advance often defy fairness and/or reasonable logic. The man is just out of touch with reality and out of control.

Russian collusion aside, for the moment, President Trump proposes repealing the only national healthcare coverage policy in place while no one has agreed upon a replacement. The ensuing chaos has resulted in fierce opposition all-around, and subsequent legislative standstill. The Republicans, who have been unanimous in their disdain of the Affordable Care Act, a.k.a. ‘Obamacare’, have had 7 years to develop an alternative, with no workable result. Nothing, Crickets. Now the Republicans have complete Majority Rule in both Houses of Congress, the Presidency, and no comprehensive Healthcare Coverage Policy.

 Let me say here that while I am opposed to most of the polices endorsed by Republican Arizona Senator John McCain, I have, as previously stated in my blog, the utmost respect and admiration for the Courage and Dedication this Brave man has displayed over the years. Unlike Pres. Trump, I honor Sen. McCain as one of our Nation’s Great War Heroes. His dedication and commitment in Service to the State of Arizona in the U.S. Senate is beyond reproach. His sense of fairness and professionalism was on display during his own presidential bid, as he courteously and deftly corrected a woman who complained of President Obama being a ‘Muslim’. This notion was promoted and advanced repeatedly by The Liar, Donald Trump.

Senator McCain once again showed his courage in reaction to being diagnosed with a potentially-fatal Brain Cancer. Senator McCain also displayed courage and good judgement, and eloquence in denouncing the current Healthcare proposals being advanced in the Senate. Then, surprisingly, he voted in support of opening debate on the current proposals. It all seems sort of confusing, but in essence, he only supported a Motion to open Debate. Fair enough, and in retrospect, perhaps understandable. It just seemed incongruent on the heels of his oppositional speech.

The current Republican Healthcare proposals are dangerous Political and Emotional opposition to the ACA, the dreaded ‘Obamacare’. They have however, Nothing to offer in response except dangerous, haphazard plans that expose millions of Americans to once again being Uninsured. 3 or 4 Republican Senators have demonstrated opposition to such drivel.

As those affiliated with the Trump Campaign face increased investigation and possible charges, Donald Trump’s precarious Political Capitol fades. Republican Senators should remain mindful that while Mr. Trump won the Electoral College, he lost the Popular Vote to Hillary Clinton by nearly 8 Million Votes. Mrs. Clinton was a risky Democratic Candidate to begin with, and she won 8 Million more popular votes than Trump. This indisputable fact annoys Mr. Trump to no end. Ironically, it is a Constitutional Condition that guaranteed Mr. Trump’s Presidency.

  As President Trump descends quickly into a political quagmire, (mostly of his Own-Making), which very well may result in his removal, The Senate would do well to heed Sen. McCain’s advice: “Let the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee under Chairman Alexander and Ranking Member Murray hold hearings, try to report a bill out of committee with contributions from both sides. Then bring it to the floor for amendment and debate, and see if we can pass something that will be imperfect, full of compromises, and not very pleasing to implacable partisans on either side, but that might provide workable solutions to problems Americans are struggling with today.”

Good Advice, Sen. McCain, Thanks for your continued Service to This Great Nation.

Trump: He's Done It Again !

 I'm not endorsing or opposing anyone here, right now. Those who follow my posts, I'm fairly certain, know where I stand. This, is not about That. This is about a man at a Publicized, Televised Event, and shoots off the cuff -"Vets are dying in  line at the VA, waiting 5 or 6 days,to see a Doctor". Excuse Me, What ?  

People like me with similar interests, in the same Groups, are quite aware of the VA Crisis. It is of considerable interest to folks like us. We are concerned, and active, and come together to develop Solutions. I'm fairly certain that the people here will agree that it is reckless and counter-productive to make such public pronouncements.

My first reaction, after my pulse and blood pressure returned to normal, was - is there any Documentation that the Trump Campaign  has, or can get, to substantiate such an over-the-top claim? I think I recall 1 or 2 instances where  VA Patients Conditions worsened, eventually leading to death, while they were on Waiting Lists. In each case, I believe, these Patients were found to be in Terminal Condition, and having to wait 3 or 4 days for an appointment to be seen by a Doctor would not have made a difference. I believe,in one instance at least, the Patient had been evaluated by a Primary Care Physician and had to wait several days, ( 8-10 Days?), to see a Specialist. 

As dreadful and disappointing these instances may be, it is a far cry from 'Vets dying, waiting in line 5 or 6 days to see a Doctor'. Those of us concerned and involved with this type of situations tend to examine Documentation/Data when reviewing the circumstances of these incidents. Our intention, I believe, is to get an accurate picture of the situation, engage in discussion,exchange information and ideas, in order to propose possible solutions. I think that Donald Trump's careless rants about this situation are an insult to the dedicated professional employees of the Veteran Administration. I think that his pronouncements are annoying and disappointing to people who are concerned with actual solutions to these challenges.

Furthermore, I was extremely disappointed that no one I saw in the Media, (CNN/MSNBC),  challenged Trump on these dramatic and controversial comments. I understand that the News Media is today more focused on events in Turkey and France. That said, I believe if these News Outlets spend a great deal of time and attention in promoting coverage of this speech, and then suspending coverage  of other events in order to provide full-coverage, then perhaps they owe some degree of responsibility to challenge overly-dramatic, dysfunctional hyperbole against the U.S. Veterans Administration.

Other useless and possibly even Libelous Comments that went unchallenged were this fairy-tale of 'The Wall', and his pronouncement that Hillary Clinton was 'Guilty of Murder, and should be in jail..'. The focus of the commentary in review of this event was more concerned with the actual Politics, and effects on the Presidential Campaign.

Mr. Trump also had some provocative and insulting remarks about The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia accusing them in effect, of 'free-loading' off the U.S. Military Protection there. Coincidentally, Saudi Arabia foreign minister Adel al-Jubeir is in Washington D.C today for a meeting at The White House. CNN's Wolf Blitzer hosted al-Jubeir for an interview in which the Foreign Minister was diplomatically dismissive of Trump's comments.The discussion, however, took most of CNN's Air-Time for the Trump Story.

ShareShare Trump : He's Done it Again !
LikeTrump : He's Done it Again !CommentShareShare Trump : He's Done it Again !
Tagged in:veterans affairs veterans administration hospital & health care